The moment those words left his mouth, the air on the field froze.
The cocky grin on Uzumaki Naruto's face stuck, as though he couldn't decide whether he'd just been praised or mocked.
That unmistakably teasing tone left even the teammates who knew Tejima Shinichi's style stunned.
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Kobayashi Takeshi was the first to crack, bursting into laughter.
Satō Yū slapped a hand over her own mouth, but her shoulders still shook—clearly stifling giggles.
None of them had ever heard Tejima Shinichi speak like that before.
Seeing this, Haruno Sakura promptly punched Naruto on the head.
"Idiot Naruto! Quit looking so smug!"
Uzumaki Naruto squatted, clutching his skull.
"Oww, Sakura! Why d'you always hit me?!"
Yamato and Kakashi exchanged glances.
Yamato looked resigned; the visible eye of Kakashi curved in amusement.
"Youngsters —so full of energy," Yamato remarked.
Kakashi nodded.
"Yeah."
He was about to add something when a sharp eagle-cry split the sky.
Both men looked up in unison.
A Ninja-Eagle circled overhead, its cry ringing clear.
Kakashi and Yamato's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Looks like important news," Kakashi said.
"Mm." Yamato nodded. "At this hour, it can only be about that matter."
Kakashi turned to Team 7.
"Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke —stand down for the afternoon. Free time."
The sudden change left Team 7 blinking.
Meanwhile Yamato addressed Team One: "Afternoon special training's cancelled. You're free to arrange your own schedules."
The instant the words left him, the two Jonin vanished before anyone could react.
Tejima Shinichi watched the departing eagle, a flicker in his gaze.
'It's finally here.'
Uzumaki Naruto scratched his head. "What's up? Why'd Kakashi-sensei rush off like that?"
Haruno Sakura folded her arms. "Important business, duh —idiot Naruto."
With both Jonin gone, Uchiha Sasuke focused entirely on Tejima Shinichi and suddenly spoke up.
"Shinichi."
"Mm?"
Tejima Shinichi turned toward him.
Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward until he stood right in front of him.
"It's been months since our last match. We're both free right now."
"Let's fight —here and now."
Tejima Shinichi studied him without answering at once.
Sasuke clenched his teeth, unwilling to back down. "I want to see how much the gap between us has changed!"
At those words everyone else perked up.
Kobayashi Takeshi and Satō Yū exchanged confident looks.
Yet —though they knew Shinichi's strength was unfathomable —they were still curious.
After all, Shinichi and Sasuke had competed for the top student title for six straight years.
"So cool… Sasuke-kun!"
Haruno Sakura cupped her cheeks, star-struck.
Inner Sakura howled: 'Yes! Just like that —beat him, Sasuke-kun!'
Uzumaki Naruto, seeing Sasuke stealing the spotlight, instantly yelled, "Hold it! If anyone challenges him, it's me first!"
Without waiting for Sasuke's reaction he jumped forward and shouted at Shinichi,
"Shinichi! Don't write me off —I'm not the dead-last anymore. I've created a powerful Ninjutsu and I've been dying to show you!"
Everyone present froze.
Kobayashi and Satō stared at Naruto in disbelief. Classmates for years, they couldn't picture the dead-last mastering any strong Jutsu.
Even Uchiha Sasuke frowned, momentarily shelving his own challenge to eye Naruto doubtfully.
After all, the only techniques Naruto had ever shown were Shadow Clone and Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Haruno Sakura planted her hands on her hips and bluntly retorted,
"Naruto! Quit bragging—when did you learn a powerful Jutsu?"
Far from backing down, Naruto grinned wider, clearly loving the attention.
"Heh, just watch me!"
He stepped forward, stopped right in front of Shinichi, and snapped through a rapid series of hand seals.
"Check this out —Ninja Art: Sexy Jutsu!"
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke burst; when it cleared, a flirtatious, completely naked blonde beauty stood there, winking at Shinichi.
Dead silence.
Kobayashi and Satō gaped, mouths open, instantly petrified.
Sakura's face went scarlet, veins popping as she clenched her fists.
Uchiha Sasuke blinked, cheeks faintly red, then turned away in disgust. "Stupid Jutsu…"
To everyone's shock, Tejima Shinichi didn't show annoyance or speechlessness.
Instead he folded his arms, studying the nude blonde with interest.
'A technique that can even stun Kaguya… of course it's powerful!'
'Still… this Jutsu has plenty of room for improvement!'
With that thought Shinichi stepped up and tapped the blonde beauty on the head.
Another puff of smoke, and Uzumaki Naruto was crouching, clutching his skull.
"Ow! Why didn't it work on you —Shinichi, are you even a guy?!"
"Moron." Shinichi scowled. "The Jutsu has merit, but against an enemy with strong willpower it's useless!"
"No way!" Naruto shot back. "Even the Third Hokage couldn't resist it!"
Shinichi shook his head. "You're missing the point. The real value of a seduction technique isn't raw sex appeal —it's psychological warfare."
"Psychological warfare?" Naruto blinked. Kobayashi and Satō exchanged glances; even Sasuke looked puzzled.
Without another word Shinichi formed a hand seal and produced a Shadow Clone.
Under everyone's gaze the clone shifted —turning into Haruno Sakura in a white wedding dress, bouquet in hand, smiling sweetly at Naruto.
"Naruto-kun…"
Bathed in sunlight, bride-Sakura called softly, her voice dripping tenderness.
"H—huh?!"
Uzumaki Naruto froze, face burning crimson, staring wide-eyed as his breathing stopped.
She looked… like a goddess!
Silence swallowed the clearing.
Kobayashi and Satō were dumbstruck all over again.
Uchiha Sasuke's pupils shrank, surprise flickering across his face.
Haruno Sakura froze, then turned scarlet, trembling with rage. "Shin—i—chi! How dare you use my likeness —absolutely unforgivable!!"
"See?" Shinichi dispelled the clone. "Everyone has someone precious. When that person appears in an unexpected way, even a moment's hesitation is fatal in battle."
He glanced at the still-dazed Naruto, then swept his gaze over the stunned group.
"A true seduction technique targets the softest spot in the opponent's heart, presenting their most cherished image in their most desired scenario at the least expected moment. Far more effective than mere nudity."
Sakura was too furious to speak, settling for glaring daggers at Naruto.
Uchiha Sasuke lowered his head, lost in thought.
"Strike when they're unprepared, scramble their minds —isn't that a powerful Jutsu in its own right?!"